What is the problem that ViS addresses?

The first problem is that it is very difficult to evaluate locations where sites operate. Second, there is too much reliance on outdated investigator databases for site assessment. Third, there is no effective way to build long-term engagements with groups of sites.

Why? Informaton about research centers and the locations in which they operate is highly disaggregated, complex, inaccurate or irrelevant to the needs of specific research protocols. This state of affairs has been magnified by the globalization of clinical research over the last ten to twenty years. As a result, biopharma companies waste significant resources on the selection of inappropriate centers, while research centers, of which there are more than 400,000 today, waste precious time and resources on describing their qualifications to trial planners through repeated feasibility questionnaires. This waste amounts to about $10.1 billion per year.

How does ViS improve clinical research?

ViS answers all three problems. First, it provides easily accessible multi-dimensional analytics, from country to postal code. Second, it enables a live connection with sites through an integrated assessment platform. Third, it provides streamlined communication through public and private networks.

ViS’ online feasibility platform and analytics transform how locations, sites and investigators are evaluated for inclusion in clinical trials. Trial planners can finally navigate the intricate, disease-specific decision matrix to directly engage with research centers, without the need for the cumbersome feasibility questionnaires. Trial planning questions can be answered at a small fraction of the time spent and cost incurred through conventional methods.

At the same time, ViS enables research centers to create an online profile, which answers over 85 percent of questions raised in feasibility assessments.

What are your sources of information?

ViS analytics are built and continuously updated using a three-step process:

Curation - our globally distributed team of clinical research analysts uses special parsing algorithms, natural language processing, and pattern recognition to capture and curate data from thousands of sources, including public and private databases such as Clinicaltrials.gov, FDA, publications, institutional websites, and industry-specific databases.

Integration – all information is then continuously harmonized and integrated using proprietary semantic technologies to generate geo-referenced disease-specific analytics covering patient population, research infrastructure, activity, timelines, etc. from country down to site level.

Crowd-sourcing – the resulting analytics is continuously validated and enriched by regional clinical research experts and further integrated with inputs from the research centers.

In summary, we apply principles of Big Data analytics, semantic web, geo-coding and crowd-sourcing to generate actionable insights for clinical research planning, which are then easily navigable thanks to our visualization technologies. It is a unique end-to-end solution that is very hard to replicate.

How will trial planners benefit from ViS?

Trial planners will benefit in a number of ways:
- Faster processes: ViS will make it possible to quickly evaluate many countries/states/cities, efficiently analyze a large number of centers, and easily find centers that are ideal for a protocol.
- Savings: Using the ViS platform will reduce expenditures with feasibility questionnaires, will decrease waste resulting from poor center selection, and will increase cost-efficiency in communication with centers.
- Improved quality: ViS makes it possible to use analytics generated by a leading research team, to obtain in-depth disease-specific analytics, and to establish lasting connections with centers.

How will research centers benefit from ViS?

Research centers will benefit in a number of ways:
- Visibility: the ViS platform greatly improves global visibility, creates more opportunities for participation in multi-center trials and medical innovation, and expands revenue potential.
- Efficiency: ViS eliminates the need for feasibility questionnaires, securely and efficiently showcases technical disease-specific capabilities to prospective trial planners, and significantly reduces cost and saves time.
- Networking: ViS makes it possible to become part of an enterprise social network, to create connections with international collaborating centers, and to engage in useful benchmarking and peer review.

Does ViS seek to promote social benefits?

Yes. By improving efficiency and collaboration in clinical research through a collaborative analytics platform, we aim to substantially reduce the cost of developing new drugs and accelerate drug development for much needed new medicines. We also contribute to the dissemination of medical knowledge, and to the development of drugs that otherwise might not be developed.

Is ViS a neutral platform?

Yes. ViS is neutral and objective, providing a secure and transparent platform for all participants. Collaboration and the sharing of data is a key component of this approach.

Does ViS engage with government entities in helping them to improve regulatory oversight and implementation?

ViS has its origins in academia, including collaboration with various government entities. We intend to remain active in contributing to scientific advancement and collaborating with relevant entities as appropriate.

How many centers are included in the platform?

85% of the most active research centers in the top 178 countries in clinical research are listed.

How many indications are covered?

69 diseases are now covered, and will expand to over 100 during the course of 2014.